Foliar boron application improves flower fertility and fruit set of olive
Date
2001
Authors
Perica, S.
Brown, P. H.
Connell, J. H.
Nyomora, A. M. S.
Dordas, C.
Hu, H.
Stangoulis, James Constantine Roy
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
HortScience, 2001; 36 (4):645-814
Statement of Responsibility
Slavko Perica, Patrick H. Brown, Joseph H. Connell, Agnes M.S. Nyomora, Christos Dordas, Hening Hu, and James Stangoulis
Conference Name
Abstract
A 2-year field study was conducted to determine if foliar B applications prior to flowering increased fruit set in olive (Olea europaea L.) cv. Manzanillo. Boron solutions were applied (935 L•ha⁻¹) at four concentrations (0, 246, 491, and 737 mg•L⁻¹) to trees exhibiting no vegetative symptoms of B deficiency. Foliar B application increased both the percentage of perfect flowers and fruit set, but no effect on pollen germination was observed in either year. The increase in fruit set was not accompanied by a reduction in fruit size. The beneficial effects of foliar B application varied between years and were greater when fruit set was low. The results obtained here are in agreement with those observed in other tree species, in which foliar B applications made immediately prior to flowering or during the period of floral bud initiation significantly increased fruit set and yield. The physiological basis for this effect, however, remains unclear.
School/Discipline
School of Agriculture, Food and Wine : Agricultural and Animal Science